Johann Kulik

History

Johann Kulik (1800-1872)

Born in 1800, Johann Kulik was the son of a master miller. According to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, he was the sole pupil of Schembera. After working with Martin Stoss in Vienna from 1820, where he perfected his art, Kulik established his own workshop in Prague in 1824. He married twice, first to Maria Anna Vyhnàlek, and later to Maria Št?stný. His residences in Prague included Miš??ská ul., Lužická ul., and Kleinseitner Platz, before he acquired a small house at No. 62 in Palackého t?ida (Karolinenthal) in 1853. He passed away in Prague in 1872, as noted by John Dilworth.

Craft

• Models: Initially, Kulik utilized models from various Italian masters. In 1850, he acquired a fine violin by Andreas Guarneri, which he subsequently copied almost exclusively. He also produced instruments, such as a violin from 1852, "Genau nach Antonius Stradivarius gemacht" (precisely made after Antonius Stradivarius), as indicated by his labels.
• Workmanship: His work is described by Lütgendorff as "tadellos" (impeccable), utilizing good wood. His scrolls are noted as being "schöner als von den meisten anderen Prager Meister geschnitten" (more beautifully carved than most other Prague masters), a sentiment echoed by John Dilworth, who highlights his "Particularly well-carved scrolls."
• Varnish: The varnish is characterized by Lütgendorff as "hübsch in der Farbe, meist goldbraun oder roth, wenn auch nur Spirituslack" (beautiful in color, mostly golden-brown or red, even if only spirit varnish). Dilworth corroborates this, mentioning "Fine spirit varnish in appropriate shades."
• Tone: Lütgendorff observed that the tone of his violins was "ein wenig scharf" (a little sharp), and his violoncellos were "gewöhnlich hart ansprechend" (usually hard-sounding).
• Violoncellos: Kulik crafted violoncellos based on a new model calculated by the engineer Leopold Savoi, which featured a small pattern and very high ribs. John Dilworth also notes these "eccentric small pattern instruments with deep ribs made to the suggestions of Leopold Savoi."
• Labels: He employed various labels, including some in Bohemian language in his later years. Examples include "Genau nach Antonius Stradivarius gemacht / von Johann Kulik,1852" and "Joh. Kulik. Geigenmacher in Prag. A. 18..".

Influence

• Training: Johann Kulik was the sole pupil of Schembera and further developed his skills working with Martin Stoss in Vienna from 1820.
• Models: His work was significantly influenced by various Italian masters, particularly Andreas Guarneri, whose violin he acquired and copied extensively from 1850, and Antonius Stradivarius, whose models he also replicated.
• Collaboration: He collaborated with engineer Leopold Savoi, who calculated a new model for his violoncellos.

Legacy

• Collections: A violoncello crafted by Kulik in 1839 is preserved in the princely Lobkowitz collection at Raudnitz Castle.
• Reputation: John Dilworth describes Kulik as a "Highly regarded maker of refined Cremonese models."

Summary

Johann Kulik (1800-1872) was a highly regarded Czech luthier based in Prague, known for his refined Cremonese models. A pupil of Schembera and Martin Stoss, he established his own workshop in 1824. Kulik's instruments, particularly his violins, often copied models by Andreas Guarneri and Antonius Stradivarius. His craftsmanship was impeccable, featuring well-carved scrolls and fine spirit varnish in golden-brown or red hues. He also produced distinctive violoncellos based on a unique model by engineer Leopold Savoi, characterized by a small pattern and high ribs. A violoncello from 1839 is part of the princely Lobkowitz collection.